Two major Mexican volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Colima, are causing concern for the citizens in Mexico City and western Mexico due to the volcanoes showing signs that they are about to erupt. A yellow alert has been issued in the areas which give the people living in the areas of Popocatepetl and Colima notice that they may need to evacuate at any time.
The Popocatepetl volcano recently sent smoke and ash into the sky, a sign that an eruption may be imminent. If Popocatepetl does erupt, up to 26 million people would be in range of the destruction. In 2000, Popocatepetl erupted and forced the evacuation of 41,000 people. Warnings to prepare to evacuate are not given out lightly. The Popocatepetl volcano has been showing signs of activity since 2012. In the last 400 years, Popocatepetl has erupted 20 times.
Latest images from second angle of #Popocatepetl #volcano activity stirring up in #Mexico pic.twitter.com/Y079SOpdIq
— Sheilaaliens (@Sheilaaliens) January 24, 2016
The Colima volcano is also causing concern for Mexico. Earlier this month, Colima sent out an ash glad that reached almost 2 miles into the atmosphere. The Colima volcano has not had an eruption in over 100 years. Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior has stated that “low explosive activity on an intermediate scale” should be expected to produce some ash falling in the surrounding areas. If a full-blown eruption of Colima occurs, all bets are off.
Popocatepetl and Colima are on what is called the “ring of fire.” An area of increased volcanic and seismic activity. There is a correlation between earthquakes and volcanoes. Alaska is part of the “ring of fire” and they just experienced a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. With pressure building in the “ring of fire” will there be more earthquakes and volcano problems coming in the future? Scientists believe so.
Earlier this month, scientists stated that the Earth is in volcano season. Scientists state that there is a 10 percent chance that a major volcanic eruption could occur in which millions of people are impacted. Scientists also state that we should expect a catastrophic volcanic eruption within the next 80 years. An eruption large enough to cause problems to millions would also impact the entire planet. Large-scale eruptions will eject ash, gas, and other material into the atmosphere where it will start to disperse over the rest of the globe. On the list of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, Popocatepetl is third on the list. The other two are Yellowstone and Mount Vesuvius.
A bucolic view of Popocatépetl (erupting) and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes in real time at https://t.co/Q8wehAeMqP pic.twitter.com/hFDBvkIXGE
— Ken H Rubin (@kenhrubin) January 24, 2016
What would a catastrophic volcanic eruption have the planet? Experts state that a catastrophic eruption of a volcano like Popocatepetl would cause more global warming than humans could create in 1,000 years.
El Popocatépetl, one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes looming over Mexico City at a distance of only 35… https://t.co/jFAk4lIRoJ
— Loud Planet News (@LoudPlanetNews) January 24, 2016
Citizens of Mexico are to be paying attention to the information that they are receiving from their government about being evacuated. Citizens should also be paying attention to any new information that comes to light about this two volcanoes.
Volcanoes are a version of natural disaster that we are ill equipped to deal with rapidly. Humans are used to dealing with earthquakes, snow storms, hurricanes, and much more but mankind is not prepared for a large-scale volcanic event.
Do you think these two volcanoes will erupt soon? Will the Mexican government be prepared to deal with the damages and fallout? Will Mexicans told to evacuate, listen to their government if the order is given?
[Image via Youtube]